Wednesday, February 2, 2011

You know not to book your venue before you set a budget. You even know the differences between addressing inner and outer envelopes. But do you know who should get their hair and makeup done first: you or your bridesmaids?

Here are top 10 common planning blunders and how to avoid them:

1. Try not to get attached to your flower choices

When you book your florist a year before your wedding day, he/she can only guess which blooms will be available for your wedding. If you have to have, say, asters, you could be disappointed. Instead, choose backups to your main blooms and add them to your contract. Think in terms of colors and shapes instead of specific flowers.

2. Think twice before you send save-the-dates to everyone

Until you mail out invitations, your guest list isn't final. And it shouldn't be: Friends you're close with when you get engaged may be more acquaintances by the time you get hitched. Reserve save-the-dates only for those guests you know will be invited, like your families.

3. You'll regret it if you skip videography

Photos only take you so far: Videos let you hear your voice tremble as you say your vows and watch your friends tear up the dance floor. With more people documenting your wedding, you'll see things you may have missed. Worried you can't afford one? When you book Your Perfect Day as your wedding coordinator, Fordham Footage will give you a discount on any of their packages.

4. Be careful not to blow your fashion budget on your dress

Maybe you have $1,500 set aside for your look. That doesn't mean you can buy a $1,500 gown! Tack on tax, and if you're not buying off the rack, you could get charged for shipping. You might need alterations too. Consider your undergarments, shoes, hair accessories and jewelry when budgeting as well, it's likely you'll have to purchase at least (if not all) of those items.

5. Avoid micromanaging your vendors

You've choosing talented pros who understand your vision, so let them do their jobs! We know it's tempting to control every detail so you're guaranteed to love the results, but you won't have the time, and you certainly don't have the experience your vendors do. After your initial meetings, trust the pros to get it right. And you know what? They almost always will, especially if you're not spending precious time getting back to you about every detail.

6. Think hard before you pick your attendants

Your bridesmaids should be your closest friends. Period. They can also be your sisters, cousins, aunts and even your mom, but they have to be people you would trust to be there (and not get totally annoyed with you) when you need them the most. You don't know new friends well enough yet to be sure they'll support you in tough situations (every bride encounters one at some point), and picking people because a family member demands it or so you and your man will have an even number of attendants are also decisions you'll likely regret.

7. Please restrain yourself from telling everyone your plans

It's so hard not to talk about your wedding. Try. The more you share, the more options you're going to get about your choices, whether or not you ask for them. Plus, part of wowing your guests is surprising them. If they already know that your're changing into a different dress for dancing or sending guests home with a batch of your grandma's cookies, they won't be quite as impressed on your wedding day. If that's not enough to deter you, talking about your plans means opening yourself up to copycats, who may actually be marrying before you do. The last thing you want is your friend stealing your idea for your surprise grande finale.

8. Seriously don't book you salon appointment last

We get it: You want as much beauty sleep as possible, and you don't want your 'do to fall out or your makeup to fade before you walk down the aisle. But guess what: Busy stylist will likely get to you late if you're last in the chair. Schedule your appointments in the middle of your attendants'. It's not a big deal for a bridesmaid to switch to a less complicated hairstyle if she's pressed for time. That's not an option for you: the same goes for your makeup, don't cut it too close.

9. Don't even think about speeding through photos

Speaking of not having enough time, any less than an hour isn't enough for a portrait session; an hour-and-a-half is close to the ideal because you'll look more relaxed in your pictures. Squeezing photos into the first half-hour of your cocktail hour will make you anything but at ease. If you refuse to see your groom before the ceremony, take pictures separately beforehand so the only shots left to take after the ceremony include both of you.

10. Avoid "hiring" a friend instead of a pro

Sure, your pal was the king of the mix CD back in the day, but that doesn't mean he'll make a great wedding DJ. Same goes for your friend who won't leave home without her Flip - this doesn't make her a videographer. Even on a tight budget, you're much better off paying a vendor with experience to take care of the biggies, like the music, the food, the coordination, etc. Besides, don't you want your friends to enjoy your wedding instead of working though it, anyway?

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Your Perfect Day is here to help you plan & coordinate the details of your wedding - so you can sit back and relax. We can help you with the small things and the big things. We can help you with a few details or all the details. We can help make your dreams come true and everything in between. Just think of us as your best friend. You can tell us anything - and we'll listen.
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